10 Aug 3 - 17 , 2018 VOL . 37 • ISS . 17

BY ROLAND ASPIRAS

Every year I look forward to the opening of rockfish season on the central coast . Several times during the season and throughout the summer , I can head out with the family to enjoy the coast and get in a little kayak fishing .

It seems most guys head to Carmel for their kayak fishing adventures , but I tend to prefer the Pacific Grove side of the Monterey Peninsula purely for the fact there are less anglers , and there ’ s easier access to the shoreline . The downside ? Smaller fish . Lots of quantity , but often less quality .

Long before my wife and kids wake up in the morning , I ’ m making my push off in the kelp-lined rocky and sandy shoreline , eager to enjoy a few hours of rodbending fun on rockfish , cabezon and lingcod on light tackle .

But on the morning of June 7th , I was close to being empty handed after almost two hours of a scratch bite with only a few small blue and black rockfish that I had released .

After three straight years of fishing Pacific Grove , I ’ ve found a few different elements to be true for bottomfish .

In terms of baits , smaller offerings produce more action . Examples include the five inch JRP ( Instagram @ jrpfishing ) swimbaits on three-quarter ounce heads , and bright colored Pucci two ounce spoons .

In terms of structure , isolated pieces of rock in the middle of sandy areas tend to hold more numbers and a variety of fish , rather than fishing close into the rocky shoreline itself . Still , armed with that knowledge , I struggled that morning . It was wasn ’ t until I accidently found a rock that I hadn ’ t marked on GPS in previous trips that I started getting some good action .

With only an hour left before I had to paddle back in , I worked the same rock over and over , getting strikes on a chartreuse and green Pucci spoon several times on each drift .

On my fourth drift , I hooked into something substantial that began pulling my kayak towards shore . It tested the ability of my Phenix Maxim rod and Daiwa Tatula reel , making several hard runs towards the bottom and at times felt like dead weight . Eventually , the brute gave up and I hoisted it into the kayak - a beautiful cabezon , possibly one of the biggest I ’ ve caught in Pacific Grove . It later taped out 23 inches and weighed eight pounds .

I was back to the same exact rock after a couple whacks to the head of the cabezon . I scored several other rockfish including a beautiful china rockfish before heading back to the beach .

So , let ’ s talk about this rock that finally gave me the action I was looking for . At highest point of the pinnacle the depth was only 18 feet , but the depth dipped all the way down to 43 feet in span of only 15 yards signifying a steep wall was present .

The fish were relating to the downward side of both the wind and current , with both working in my favor . There was also evidence on sonar suggesting that baitfish were also relating to the break the pinnacle provided .

When I first launched that morning , the wind and current were both flat , and there was visual evidence of surface baitfish activity . When the ( big ) incoming tide and wind picked up , they apparently packed into a ball and moved in behind the large pinnacle . So , my original knowledge and prior experience still applied that day , its just the scale of what I knew just needed to be put into a bigger perspective .

Rockfishing is typically “ easy ” but like any other gamefish , certain situations force you to think outside your comfort and competency - that can mean the difference between a good day catching and a good day fishing .

RATTL ’ N VIBE

The Yo-Zuri Rattl ’ n Vibe is a lipless vibrating style of lure that has a distinct rattle . The weight and BBs inside the Rattl ’ n Vibe increase the distance the sound travels under the water , while adding casting weight and emitting a natural shad-indistress sound . This style of lure is well known striper killer and can be fished with different retrieves ; fast , slow , stop-andgo , vertical jigged or ripping and falling action . The Yo-Zuri Rattl ’ n Vibe actually swims down on the fall unlike most lipless crank baits .

HYDRO POPPER

Yo-Zuri is proud to announce the introduction of the new and improved Hydro Popper . This compact topwater Popper features an extra wide mouth which causes a very large splash which draws fish in from long distances . Perfectly weighted for long distance casting , the Hydro Popper is an ideal lure for fishing for striped bass . Yo-Zuri has upgraded the new Hydro Popper with a durable polycarbonate body , through wire construction and 3X strong treble hooks to give it the durability to handle trophy fish . This bait comes in eight colors and two sizes . The next time you ’ re looking for an affordable , durable and versatile topwater lure , grab a Hydro Popper and start catching .

HYDRO PENCIL

The Hydro Pencil has been redesigned with added features and a lower price point . This versatile walk the dog style lure comes in two sizes seven color patterns . Perfectly weighted for long distance casting , the Hydro Pencil is a deadly striper bait . The large single cadence rattle calls fish in from long distances and the stunning painted finishes are too much for predators like stripers to resist .

For more got to www . Yo-Zuri . Com

by Cal Kellogg